The lights inside the Contest Hall dimmed again, this time focusing all attention on the battlefield. The main stage had been transformed—no longer a place of petals and spotlight choreography, but a clean, circular arena marked with glowing white lines. The audience hushed, leaning forward as the announcer's voice returned.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Junior Bracket Battle Stage! Our first match features Mira Rosemary and her team—Scout the Lillipup and Petilil—versus Reina and her partners, Shinx and Swablu!"
From opposite ends of the stage, the two Coordinators stepped into the light. Mira walked with calm purpose, her scarf fluttering slightly behind her. On the far side, Reina straightened her shoulders, her glittering hairpin flashing under the lights.
The timer above the arena lit up: 5:00
"Coordinators ready? Begin!"
The battle had started.
Mira unclipped Petilil's Poké Ball first and released her onto the field. The small Grass-type landed lightly, spinning once on a vine as she struck a balanced stance. Scout's Poké Ball remained on Mira's belt, glinting faintly as he waited his turn.
Across from her, Reina released Swablu in a shimmer of light. The cloud-winged Pokémon hovered in place, its expression serene yet focused, drifting with a gentle grace that masked sharp intent.
Mira narrowed her eyes. Swablu had strong aerial control and excellent agility—perfect for dodging. A bad match-up for Petilil, but not one without strategy.
"Sunny Day, now!" Mira called.
Petilil lifted her leafy arms, and a burst of golden energy surged upward, brightening the arena with artificial sunlight. The glow made her shimmer, energizing her even as Swablu hovered ominously above.
"Now Growth—charge up while the sun lasts!"
Petilil drew the warmth deep into her body. Her glow intensified as she absorbed the boosted energy, her form pulsing with strength. Mira's eyes tracked Swablu carefully.
"Petal Blizzard—make it count!"
With a hop and spin, Petilil unleashed a spiraling burst of petals that spun outward in a dazzling arc toward Swablu.
Reina's voice rang out, smooth and practiced. "Swablu, Aerial Ace—cut through and circle!"
With a soft chirp, Swablu's wings gleamed with a sudden sharpness as it dove forward in a graceful arc, slicing cleanly through the Petal Blizzard. The petals scattered in a brilliant spray, catching the stage lights like glittering confetti, but Swablu remained unharmed. It twisted mid-air and soared around Petilil, trailing a breeze behind it.
A chime sounded above—Mira's team had lost a small amount of points for the ineffective hit, though the aesthetic sparkle softened the blow.
The Contest Committee Judge jotted a quick note while Nurse Joy nodded, visibly impressed by the elegance of the exchange.
Mira didn't flinch. "Let's bring it down. Petilil, Sleep Powder—aim high and wide!"
Petilil narrowed her gaze and twirled again, this time releasing a shimmering cloud of blue-green powder that rose in a curling draft toward Swablu's flight path.
Swablu flapped hard to rise above it, but the cloud expanded too quickly. Within seconds, the powder enveloped her wings, and she faltered in mid-air. Her wingbeats slowed, her flight pattern lost rhythm—and with a soft coo, she drifted downward like a dandelion seed.
The announcer's voice cut through the soft gasp of the crowd. "Swablu is unable to continue!"
Reina's expression remained calm as she recalled the fainted Pokémon. Without hesitation, she drew her next Poké Ball.
"Shinx, you're up!"
In a flash of light, the electric-type landed with a sharp, eager yip. Sparks danced across its fur as it crouched low, eyes locked on Petilil.
Mira narrowed her eyes, making a quick decision. She raised her hand toward the referee and called out, "Requesting switch!"
The referee gave a brief nod of approval.
Mira then unclipped Petilil's Poké Ball and recalled her in a streak of red light.
"Scout, your turn!"
The Lillipup burst from his Poké Ball in a flash, landing with a bark and a confident shake of his fur. The silver leaf charm on his leg glinted as he took his stance.
Across the field, Reina gave a nod of approval, and the crowd's energy buzzed with excitement.
This match wasn't over yet—and both Coordinators knew it.
Above the arena, the timer continued its countdown: 3:14. One Pokémon down, one each to go. The audience leaned in again, sensing the change in momentum as the sun from earlier still shimmered faintly overhead, casting Scout in a golden halo.
But as Scout circled back into position, the artificial sunlight overhead began to dim. A few seconds remained, the golden hue still casting warmth across the stage—but its intensity was waning.
A faint murmur passed through the crowd, watching the light gradually shift.
"Sunny Day is beginning to fade," the announcer observed. "The effects will likely wear off before the end of the match."
Scout's fur still gleamed under the glow, but Mira knew the advantage wouldn't last long. She adjusted her footing, preparing for the moment the field returned to neutral light.
Mira's expression stayed composed, but she shifted her stance slightly. Without the sun's boost, Scout would have to rely solely on his instincts and coordination.
She gave a sharp nod. "Scout, we're still in this. Keep your rhythm tight."
Mira didn't hesitate. "Scout, start with Leer—slow it down."
Scout's eyes narrowed, locking onto Shinx. A sharp glint sparked from his gaze, a wave of pressure washing over the battlefield as he projected a fierce, confident stance.
Shinx's paws shifted slightly, thrown by the sudden intensity. The audience responded with a soft "ooooh," impressed by the quiet threat in Scout's posture.
"Bite, now!" Mira commanded.
Scout charged forward with a bark, moving with a burst of speed that mirrored the rhythm of the contest's earlier music. His fangs gleamed as he lunged.
"Dodge and Spark!" Reina shot back.
Shinx leapt sideways, barely avoiding the bite, then released a burst of crackling electricity in return. Scout winced as the jolt grazed his side—just enough to draw sparks without breaking his momentum.
Above them, the point meter dipped slightly for both Coordinators—Scout had missed, but Shinx hadn't hit cleanly either.
Reina narrowed her eyes. "Charge in—use Baby-Doll Eyes, then Spark!"
Shinx dashed forward, its eyes momentarily wide and shining with disarming innocence. Scout hesitated for a heartbeat, his aggressive posture softening slightly.
"Scout, don't let it throw you off—Leer again, then follow with Shadow Claw!"
Scout shook off the hesitation and met Shinx's gaze with his own glint of defiance. The two Pokémon clashed again—Spark meeting Scout mid-leap as he twisted and dragged shimmering claws through the air. Sparks exploded as attacks collided.
The crowd roared. Point meters above flickered wildly.
1:15 left on the clock.
"Scout, Slash—cross the field with impact!" Mira called.
Scout hit the ground running, claws glowing with silver energy as he slashed in a wide arc. The glowing trail caught the light, sweeping across the stage in a dramatic display. While it didn't heal, it created a burst of power and visual style that drew a wave of applause from the crowd.
Reina countered with a shouted, "Wild Charge!"
Shinx became engulfed in lightning and bolted forward. Scout braced and sprang aside just in time, rolling with the shockwave as electricity exploded around them.
0:40 remaining.
Mira clenched her fist. "Now! Bite into Shadow Claw—curve and finish with a roll!"
Scout sprinted forward, fangs glowing dark, and leapt—midair, he twisted his form, adding a radiant arc of claw behind the momentum of his bite. He crashed just behind Shinx, who stumbled under the combined impact and flash.
More sparks, more cheers.
The final seconds ticked away.
0:10... 0:05... 0:00!
A loud buzzer rang through the Contest Hall.
"TIME!"
Mira and Reina stood in silence for a breath as the crowd erupted in applause.
Scout and Shinx—both breathing hard, still standing.
"Return!" the Coordinators called in near unison.
Two beams of red light swept across the stage, pulling their partners back into their Poké Balls.
Mira and Reina stepped toward the center of the arena and extended their hands.
"Great battle," Reina said with a soft smile.
"You too," Mira replied.
The main screen began flashing above them.
"While the judges finalize their scores," the host's voice boomed with energy, "let's hear it once more for our first two Coordinators of the Battle Stage!"
Applause surged from the stands.
Mira tilted her head slightly toward Reina. "Now we wait."
They both looked up to the scoreboard, the numbers still being calculated—